SPECIAL EVENTS |
SPRING 2010: ECOLOGICAL NIGHTMARE USHERS EQUINOXThe much ballyhooed arrival of the Austrian-style cablecar to the Urique canyon bottom below Divisadero is a reality. The terminal is at Piedra Volada- a 20 minute walk from the train station in Divisadero; with the lower landing at our lunchspot. A zipline route with 7 segments will be open this fall. The shortest zipline is over 500 meters, and the final segment deposits you at the lower cablecar terminal. Given that many visitors to the canyon rim pine for a view of the river, this is a classic example of watch what you wish for. Granted that hundreds of visitors an hour may now enjoy the river, but the tranquility they sought above will be as fleeting at the long-eared quetzal. We're not enthralled about this development, but at least there's over 25,000 square miles of ruggedly beautiful terrain in which to escape. El Observador; OMNIA-Seeing is believing!; OMNIA.Also scheduled is a golf course with the water arriving by 10 inch pipeline from San Juanito 50 kilometers away. Hurry and sign up for a hike, before the throngs arrive. They're hoping for 2 million visitors annually starting Easter 2011; and if you've seen the total development of the "Riviera Maya" south of Cancun you'll know they are serious.
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DIVISADERO-PAMACHI RIM TO RIM as featured in "BACKPACKER" January '09 issueAs featured in the January 2009 issue of BACKPACKER Magazine, this seven day backcountry hike begins the day after you gaze longingly from Divisadero across the Urique River at the Mesa Rohuerachi. Six nights under the stars - 3 on the river Urique - will give you an appreciation of the enormity of the Barranca del Cobre. This is a fully self-sufficient hike with 20,000 feet of elevation change over 40 miles. The hightlight is the Tarahumaran village of Pamachi, which only became accessible by vehicle in 2003. The 2 vehicles we saw in 2008 we're both out of commission. There is a picturesque church, and a tiny general store barely 100 square feet. Travel from Chihuahua, or Los Mochis. Call or e-mail for a detailed itineray and arrival suggestions.Fall 2010 dates upon request . . . . $1275 pp/do, 4 person Max (Meeting at the rim.) |
Spring 2012 CARRERA TARAHUMARA -"Caballo Blanco Ultra Marathon"Burro supported Hike to Urique. This is a spectacular 35 mile hike through a network of trails in the tall pines. For 3 days we traverse a series of mesas, while burros support the group. The 3rd and 4th nights are in a remote rancho perched high on up on the rim of a mesa. On the 5th day we begin our spectacular 3500 foot descent from the pines to the sub tropical papaya and orange trees at the bottom of the canyon. We'll camp in a lush compound in Urique for 3 nights, and cheer the runners on race day. An easy ride on the last day takes us to the CHEPE train stop in Bahuichivo for return to LM. The trek highlight is being a spectator at the annual Ultra Marathon Caballo Blanco (80 km, 10,000 elevation change), sponsored by the exuberant and breathlessly enthusiastic Caballo Blanco. Horsebackriding, swimming, and birding opportunities are available.FaceBook, trip leader's article: 2009 hike February 26 - March 7, 2012 . . . . 7 nights camping/3 nights hotel . . . . $2500 pp/do (El Fuerte) |
Join Us for the ANNUAL MUSHROOM FESTIVAL in San JuanitoBe a part of rural gormandizing. Our friends Sol and Lauro at the plush solar powered Cabanas Noritari are hosting an annual Mushroom Festival in August. Participants can join in the hunt; or go horsebackriding, hiking, boating, or fishing until the meals are served. Sol prepares the meals in her spacious kitchen using the freshest of local ingredients. She has been featured in several gourmet magazines. Visitors will think they're in the magic realism world of Like Water For Chocolate. The devil's in the details and that's especially true here. On a recent visit, we camped out in our tent. Just at sunrise a boy came walking through the pine forest with an olla of piping hot coffee spiced with canela (cinnamon). Just imagine our delight and surprise, and the civilized indulgence of watching an alpine sunrise from our snug sleeping bags.This 10 day trip starts and ends in Chihuahua. Other highlights of this tour include the Pancho Villa Museum, a pictograph cave, and three nights at Parque Nacional Cascada de Basaseachi, with dayhikes to Mexico's highest and third highest waterfalls. The Piedra Volada dayhike is considered strenuous, although short. August 2010, dates to be announced |
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CURRENT EVENTS |
By now we've all heard about the Trifecta that has slammed Mexico. The Economy, Swine Flu, and the explosion of violence in the wake of Drug Wars are constantly on the newsThese are all very real concerns. The only glimmer of hope is that Swine Flu H1N1 is not the predicted pandemic. The failing economy is actually good if you trade in dollars. But violence is everywhere.This is really nothing new in Mexico, or the United States for that matter. One has to be constanly vigilant. Currently Mexico is not the place for singles to be looking for a good time. You need to stay in familiar terrain, and not be too flashy. Be cautious, not paranoid.
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